Contextual Offers

Kent contextual offers

Putting you at the centre of your journey to Kent.

It's not just about grades, it's about you.

People often face barriers that make it harder for them to study at university. But at Kent, we're here to open doors, not build walls.

We believe that everyone who has the ability to study at university should be able to. Kent is a place that is made brighter and better by our diverse and dynamic community, from all sorts of backgrounds.

No one person's journey is the same, and that's a good thing! We want to make sure you can make the most of everything that makes you, you.

We use data and indicators to help us build a more rounded view of an applicant's achievements and potential, and we make contextual offers to applicants who meet our eligibility criteria.

For example, a contextual offer for someone taking A levels could be up to two grades below our published standard offer. Course specific conditions will still apply, so if the course requires you to have a minimum grade in a related subject, this subject grade will not be adjusted.

Contextual Admissions Policy

As part of our ongoing commitment to widening participation at the University of Kent our contextual admissions policy can be viewed in full here.

Examples:

James* is applying to study LLB Law at Kent. He has been predicted to achieve BBB in his A levels. He is in receipt of Free School Meals and is a Young Carer. Our typical conditional offer is AAB and there are no specific subject requirements.

Our policy indicates that James would be eligible to receive a Contextual Offer on achieving BBB at A level.

Tahsin* is applying to study BSc Sports and Exercise Science at Kent. She is predicted to achieve AAB in her A levels including an A in Biology. She has a long-term health condition. Our standard conditional offer is BBB with a B in a relevant subject.

Our policy indicates that Tahsin would receive our standard conditional offer, as she is predicted to achieve grades higher than our standard offer. However, if she chooses Kent as her firm choice she would qualify for the Kent Guarantee.

When we consider applications, we have a supportive attitude. This means looking at your circumstances as a whole before deciding whether to make you an offer to study here. We take the same, flexible, approach when we receive your exam results.


Contextual Admissions Policy

What to include in my application

  • Live in Tundra Q1 or IMD Q1 area
  • A mature student, aged 21 or over on the 1st day of term
  • Free school meals recipient
  • Have spent any time in care under a Local Authority
  • Disabled students and those with long term health conditions, including learning differences and mental health conditions
  • Young carers
  • Unaccompanied minors, asylum seekers and refugees